If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. [1 Timothy 6:3-5 NASB]
Paul begins by talking about the specific teaching regarding slaves. He quickly expands that to include all of the teaching about Jesus and the principles of godliness. This includes, not just this letter written to Timothy, but to all of the teaching of the New Testament.
Anyone who disagrees with or disregards the teachings of the gospel are arrogant and ignorant. What is translated in the NASB as "morbid interest" literally means "sick". In other words, he has a mental illness in his attraction to controversy. He is insane.
Remember that Timothy was in Ephesus, which was seeing the beginnings of Gnosticism. The teaching that was becoming vogue was that through personal holiness and asceticism, one could receive revelations that went beyond what the apostles were teaching. They believed that they could start with the gospel as a foundation and then build on it with their own dreams and fantasies. Any revelation or doctrine that they dreamed up was as valid (or more valid) as the teachings given to the apostles by Jesus Christ.
The result was a fractured church. Their teaching led to jealousy, strife, blasphemy, paranoia, and constant in-fighting. The men are described as being of "depraved mind and deprived of the truth."
Gnosticism, as a formal movement, wasn't fully formed in the first century, and it is considered to be extinct in the 21st century. But the idea that we can either add on to the gospel or reinterpret it has always been around.
Mormonism is the most obvious example of this, with the book of Mormon being added to the Bible.
Others are more subtle in their efforts. The Jehovah's Witness uses their own Bible translation, in which they re-translate passages that they don't like to match their preconceived theology.
I've heard evangelical preachers fall into the same trap. Not by re-translating the Bible, but by conveniently ignoring the parts that contradict their message. One example of this is the prosperity doctrine, which picks a few prosperity promises from the Bible and ignores all of the passages about suffering and tribulation. It's easy to preach prosperity when you're pulling down a six-figure salary.
As dedicated Christians whose desire is to conform to sound teaching and follow the principles of godliness, it is vital that we do not engage with these false teachers. They love to argue, and their words only sow division, so don't debate them. If you can show them the error of their thinking, that's fine, but if they argue, just walk away from the conversation.
You may not be a "teacher" in the sense of calling or position, and you may never stand in front of a group to teach, but everybody teaches someone as we go through our life, in our conversations, and by our examples. It is very important, therefore, that you study and know the word of God. Make sure your beliefs are based on the Bible, and not on anything that any man has taught you. Learn from your teachers, and then study it for yourself. Don't be afraid to think differently from your pastor. That's not a sin. And if it's a small matter, you can let it go. If you come to believe that your pastor is teaching a false gospel, violating the scriptures, then you should find a pastor and teacher whom you can trust.
Be very careful who you listen to and follow. There are a great many people out there who speak in Jesus' name, and who would lead you into ungodliness.
Father, I thank you that You have given me Your word, with the teaching of godliness. Please direct my path to those who teach well with sound doctrine. Give me the grace to speak only the truth of Your word.
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